WEEKLY
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An
international Sunday school lesson commentary
For
Sunday May 3, 2020
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PROPHESYING RESTORATION
(Jerusalem’s rebellion and redemption)
(Zephaniah 3)
Zephaniah, along with
Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and Micah, prophesied to Judah during the last decades
before it was ultimately destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian
forces in 586 B.C. Josiah, who was king of Judah at that time, was so stirred
by Zephaniah and the others’ messages that he began to institute sweeping
reforms in Israel in 629 B.C.
The emergence of so many powerful prophets
during Josiah’s reign perhaps suggests how significant this period was to the
salvation of the nation of Israel. However, these reforms were too little too
late for the doomed nation, as it had now slid to new moral lows, while they
continued to follow the evil behavior of the pagan nations around them.
In fact, not only would Judah soon feel the
wrath of GOD, but, so too would the surrounding nations suffer the effects of
GOD’s judgment and punishment for their sins. Judah had foolishly hoped that
when GOD visited them on “The Day of the LORD”, HE would go easy on them and
only punish their pagan neighbors. However, this was not to be.
As Josiah, who became king at the age of 8,
grew up and matured into a righteous young man under the guidance of his
mother, Jedidah, Assyria’s power had diminished considerably. And so, not
having to worry about this once, prominent enemy of Judah’s, the primary
concern for the young king began to center more on internal affairs.
Soon after taking full reign of Judah,
Josiah’s primary focus shifted toward “the moral and spiritual reform” of his
fallen people. He staged an intense campaign of reforms between 629 and 622
B.C., however, despite his stern personal commitment to this effort, the people
instead, chose to continue their downward moral slide, by becoming more
steadily involved in the pagan religious practices of the surrounding nations.
Here in Zephaniah 3, verse 1, we see a
tragic description of how people of every age were rebelling against GOD with
violence and crime. Their representation of GOD was almost non-existent, just
as it is today, throughout the world. We are not serious at all about
influencing other people toward GOD, even in the Church. GOD intends, at least
for HIS professed followers, to live by HIS standards, and have a GODly
influence on the society in which we live. GOD calls for us (the Church) to
actively do that which is defined as “good” and “right” by HIM in HIS Word.
GOD is actively involved in the lives of
those who have HIM in their hearts, even when they may fall short, or, when
they have to suffer the effects of the shortcomings of the world around them. When
we as Christians, or “followers of GOD” fall short, we need to accept GOD’s
correction and move on, less we encounter a more severe judgment or punishment in
the future (Vs.5-7).
“Arrogance” is perhaps man’s greatest sin,
because it produces rebellion against GOD, idolatry, and injustices of every
kind. GOD will always respond to our pride with judgment, just as HE did with
the Israelites here in this passage. HIS response will have an immediate impact
upon HIS professed followers (the Church), and a later impact upon the
unbelieving world. HIS judgment will have a purifying effect on the survivors
of HIS Church, as it is intended “correct”, as well as “punish”. Those who
survive will be “humbled” and hopefully returned to a state of “obedience” to
GOD the CREATOR.
The attitudes of “pride” and “humility” are
quite literally, “basic”, as they reflect our orientation to the LORD. “Pride”
is arrogance, self-centeredness, insolence toward authority, presumptuousness,
and a flat-out unwillingness to, neither, recognize that one needs GOD, nor, to
submit to GOD in any way.
“Humility” on the other hand, is
responsive, trusting, and unassuming. It is a willingness and eagerness to
submit to GOD, and, have a primary goal of pleasing GOD, rather than oneself. One
of these two attitudes is dominant in every individual, although they may be
more clearly displayed in some more than in others. Our attitude should not be,
“What GOD can do to please me”, but rather, it should be, “What can I do to
please GOD” (vs.11-12).
Zephaniah told the people of Judah that,
despite the shortcomings of that generation, GOD was still willing to grant a
bright future to HIS chosen people of Israel, and GOD is saying the same thing
to us today. And although GOD will continue to discipline us for our sins
against HIM, HE will also continue to purify us through HIS disciplinary
actions, which will transform us, and eventually, bless us.
And so, we see the theme of Zephaniah’s
messages are “pride”, “Judgment”, and “purification”. Our current sinful state
can be transformed into a life that is pleasing to GOD if we, first, “recognize
that we need GOD”, and then, “repent” and “humble ourselves” toward GOD. And
then CHRIST JESUS, our LORD and SAVIOR, will do for us, things that we cannot
do for ourselves in our own power. And the HOLY SPIRIT will begin to lead us,
and guide and counsel us, into making, not only “good decisions”, but rather,
“the best decisions” for our own personal lives.
A
Sunday school lesson by,
Larry
D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
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